Program overview
Tier 2 is USA Hockey’s main offering for travel hockey, built to serve a diverse population of hockey athletes at different stages of their development - from elite to advanced. The Junior Canes offer a competitive tryout-based Tier 2 program for athletes from the Triangle area and surrounding regions who have the foundation, the dedication, and the desire to develop and compete at the highest levels.
Junior Canes Tier 2 teams either compete in the SuperSeries National Showcase Hockey (NSH) Southeast Division, the Carolinas Hockey League (CHL), or in a series of independently scheduled games, all dependent upon the team's appropriate level of competition.
All 13U through 18U Tier 2 teams have the option to be National Bound in order to compete in the CAHA State Championship for the right to advance to the USA Hockey Tier 2 National Championships.
| Tier 1 AAA | Tier 1 | AAA |
| Tier 2 Black | Tier 2 | AA or A |
| Tier 2 Red | Tier 2 | A or AA |
| Tier 2 White | Tier 2 | A |
Program features
One-of-a-kind program structure and evaluation system to identify, develop and advance emerging talent to higher levels of hockey
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Three on-ice sessions each week, including team practices and player development sessions
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Innovative, age-appropriate off-ice training program focused on injury prevention, recovery and athletic development
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Participation in league, exhibition, showcase and tournament events designed to prepare our athletes for the highest levels of competition and test our progress against the best
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Access to expert advising to chart a path and develop an action plan for the next steps beyond youth hockey